Nashauna Drummond, Acting Lifestyle Coordinator

A Masai giraffe, found only in Kenya and Tanzania. - photos by Nashauna Drummond

The sun peeped reluctantly over the clouds as the mini-bus headed for the outskirts of town. Suddenly the huge green gate loomed before us. This was where it was all to begin. A journey into Nairobi National Park in Kenya.

Just a few minutes from the city centre, its location makes it one of the most unique in the world.

As soon as the roof of the bus was raised, I poked my head out eagerly searching the surroundings (though we had not even entered the park). I have dreamt of this moment for years - getting a live performance from the animals that I have watched frolicking on my television set.

Giraffe

As soon as our driver Steve of Twigga Tours told us we would have to be his eyes, a giraffe ahead gave us a lazy look. We slowed the vehicle so as to not startle it. We were still on paved road and already in for a treat. Steve explained that it was a Masai giraffe, distinguishable by its pattern. Seeming somewhat annoyed, the giraffe moved to the side of the road and continued its breakfast as we stood gawking. Growing t of 16-18 feet, giraffes are all neck. It's hard to believe that such a small head contains an 18-inch tongue which comes in handy when trying to get to the juicy leaves on the tree top.

I could have stood there for days just staring at this magnificent creature. Probably embarrassed by all the stares, it lumbered up the hill and disappeared. Reluctantly we drove on. The earlier we got into the park, the greater our chances would be of seeing more animals as they came out to eat.

Impalas, antelopes and zebras

I was afraid of blinking as my eyes feverishly searched the tall grass for any animal form. 'Stop!' I heard myself shouting as I saw a brown form in the shrubs a few feet from the road. A head appeared as we halted and we realised that we were looking at three impalas partially hiding in the high grass. They paid us no mind as we gazed.

As the engine rumbled on I spotted them in the distance. Their white stripes were unmistakable. Ignoring the sly comment as to how the cars got their name, I brought the attention of the group to the distant spectacle. A herd of zebras was peacefully grazing with some antelopes. With the aid of a pair of binoculars, I realised that these animals were very well fed. With such a round rump, how are they able to live up to the speed they are known for?

Along the way we met another group of 'tourists'. After the drivers conversed in Swahili, our driver told us that a lion had been spotted in the area. All our senses were aroused as we reversed and searched the tall grass for any sign of the king of beasts. After going back and forth a few times with no luck, we abandoned the search. I was already satisfied, I saw creatures I never had before and they weren't in cages. They were in their natural habitat, the place they call home.

Tracker

We left the paved road behind and were now travelling on very dusty tracks. With our appetite whetted from our previous sightings, we ignored the dust which threatened to cut off our air supply. Another giraffe loomed in sight but we ignored it. Over his head in the distance was one of Africa's big five. The buffalo. They were larger than I had thought and not very friendly, looking, so it was a good thing that they were in the distance.

As our eyes scoured the terrain, every shrub took the form of an animal. In the distance we spotted what looked like a cross between a camel and a goat. Steve explained that it was an eland and they can weigh up to 900 pounds.

We were in deep bush. Turning around at leopard leap, we came to a picnic site populated by a troop of baboons. While the males occasionally bare their sharp canines, they groomed each other seemingly oblivious to our stares and camera flashes. They were probably used to it by now. A mother, obviously very protective of her newborn, captured the attention of the group.

Leaving the baboons behind we went by the hippo pool in search of the mammal. As we walked along the banks, not even a ripple broke the surface of the slow-moving stream. Feeling dejected, I followed the ranger who was determined that we should not leave dissatisfied. Excitedly he showed us the rhino's tracks. He explained that they were very territorial and showed us the markings they made to mark their territory.

Excitedly he pointed to a croc bathing on the opposite bank of the river. It was lying so still it was hard to tell if it was actually alive.Pointing out a tree hanging with wild melons eaten by elephants, he explained there was none in the park because it was too small and they are very destructive animals. Coming to what seemed like the end of the road, we saw some very frisky vavet monkeys frolicking on the branches hanging over the river.

Disappointed with the no-show by the rhino and hippo and feeling that we were not going to see much more for the day, we headed out. Suddenly out of nowhere the crowns peeped over the trees. As we cleared the corner, there in front of us was not one, but four giraffes. There is nothing like seeing an animal up close and these were very friendly. They just stood there staring at us as we stared back at them. Somewhat reluctantly, it seems, they sauntered out of the road, their hoofs echoing on the dry ground and resonating in our ears and we lumbered along the dusty road, completely satisfied after a rewarding day at Kenya's National Park.

Nashauna Drummond visited Kenya last month as part of the Jamaican contingent to the YWCA World Council.

A group of zebras and antelopes grazing in Nairobi National Park, Kenya.

Female baboons usually give birth every other year and usually to a single infant.

A male pink ostrich in Nairobi National Park.